Barak to make Cabinet reshuffle after completing negotiations with Syria

The Israeli daily Haaretz said on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told his government he will make a reshuffle in the government following the conclusion of negotiations with Syria.

The Israeli paper added that the ministries which will come under change are the ministries of the interior and housing which are currently run by Yisrael Be'aliyah and the National Religious Party. The two ministries will join the One Israel Party so as to implement a social policy that complies with Barak's electoral promises.

Haaretz continued that Barak's statement came following threats made by the two parties to withdraw from the government after reaching a peace agreement with Syria.

Sources at the One Israel Party said that Barak also intends to appoint Dan Meridor from Center Party in the Defense Ministry after completing negotiations on the Syrian and Palestinian tracks in order to form a long-lasting alliance with him.